TEAM IRELAND have qualified for the final in the Mixed 4x400m event at the World Athletics Relays in China, in the qualifying round one.
The quartet of Sharlene Mawdsley, Rhasidat Adeleke, Conor Kelly and Cillín Greene were competing in Guangzhou, and finished second in a time of 3.12.56, with the USA winning in 3.11.37.
The two fastest times in the race qualify teams for both the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the World Athletics Relays Final, which takes place tomorrow at 2.03pm Irish time.
For Ireland, Kelly kicked off the event in solid fashion, before passing the baton to the impressive Adeleke, and Greene’s performance ensured the team were in a good position in the climactic stages.
A strong finish by Mawdsley meant Ireland pipped Poland to second spot, as the latter finished with a time of 3.12.70.
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Changes to the team line-up expected are expected ahead of tomorrow’s final.
Ireland’s time was a little over two seconds slower than the national record of 3:09.92, which was set at the European Championships in Rome last summer.
Ireland were the fourth fastest overall in today’s three qualifying heats, with only the US, Belgium and Australia bettering their times.
“It was a strong heat. Having the USA and Poland in a race, it’s not easy,” Kelly said afterwards. “To go and take those people out, it’s good.”
“We’ve qualified for Tokyo, that’s what we came here for,” added Adeleke.
🗣️ “We’ve qualified for Tokyo, that’s what we came here for.”
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) May 10, 2025
Elsewhere, the women’s 4x400m relay team finished third with a season’s best time of 3:30.06.
The quartet of Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Lauren Cadden and Rachel McCann return to the track tomorrow at 12.34pm Irish time as the quartet bid to secure World Championship qualification.
Becker was up first and ran strongly, leaving the team in contention for first place, but Cadden was caught by the Germans before the changeover, meaning they were third at the midway point.
McCann and Healy helped Ireland hold onto third, with South Africa and Germany first and second, respectively.
The men’s 4x400m team will also return for the second round of qualifying tomorrow after finishing last in their event.
Christopher O’Donnell, Callum Baird, Marcus Lawler and Jack Raftery still managed a season’s best time of 3:05.47.
Their next race on Sunday takes place at 12.56pm Irish time.
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Team Ireland qualify for final at World Athletics Relays
Updated at 16.33
TEAM IRELAND have qualified for the final in the Mixed 4x400m event at the World Athletics Relays in China, in the qualifying round one.
The quartet of Sharlene Mawdsley, Rhasidat Adeleke, Conor Kelly and Cillín Greene were competing in Guangzhou, and finished second in a time of 3.12.56, with the USA winning in 3.11.37.
The two fastest times in the race qualify teams for both the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the World Athletics Relays Final, which takes place tomorrow at 2.03pm Irish time.
For Ireland, Kelly kicked off the event in solid fashion, before passing the baton to the impressive Adeleke, and Greene’s performance ensured the team were in a good position in the climactic stages.
A strong finish by Mawdsley meant Ireland pipped Poland to second spot, as the latter finished with a time of 3.12.70.
Changes to the team line-up expected are expected ahead of tomorrow’s final.
Ireland’s time was a little over two seconds slower than the national record of 3:09.92, which was set at the European Championships in Rome last summer.
Ireland were the fourth fastest overall in today’s three qualifying heats, with only the US, Belgium and Australia bettering their times.
“It was a strong heat. Having the USA and Poland in a race, it’s not easy,” Kelly said afterwards. “To go and take those people out, it’s good.”
“We’ve qualified for Tokyo, that’s what we came here for,” added Adeleke.
Elsewhere, the women’s 4x400m relay team finished third with a season’s best time of 3:30.06.
The quartet of Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Lauren Cadden and Rachel McCann return to the track tomorrow at 12.34pm Irish time as the quartet bid to secure World Championship qualification.
Becker was up first and ran strongly, leaving the team in contention for first place, but Cadden was caught by the Germans before the changeover, meaning they were third at the midway point.
McCann and Healy helped Ireland hold onto third, with South Africa and Germany first and second, respectively.
The men’s 4x400m team will also return for the second round of qualifying tomorrow after finishing last in their event.
Christopher O’Donnell, Callum Baird, Marcus Lawler and Jack Raftery still managed a season’s best time of 3:05.47.
Their next race on Sunday takes place at 12.56pm Irish time.
You can view the results in full here.
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Athletics Boost Cillin Greene Conor Kelly Report Rhasidat Adeleke sharlene mawdsley World Athletics Relays